ERIE, Pa. -- The ninth-ranked University of Michigan water polo team used eight first-half goals to power a 15-4 win at Gannon to start conference play on Friday (March 2) at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion.

Kelsey Nolan(San Jose, Calif./Leland) tacked on a hat trick, with Lauren Colton(Tustin, Calif./Tesoro) and Lauren Dudley(Okemos, Mich./Okemos) striking in two goals apiece. Eleven players notched at least a goal in the scorebook.

In the first quarter, Nolan scored two goals, while Colton and Dudley each added one to put Michigan on top early, 4-1.

The Wolverines led 8-1 at the half with a complete defensive effort from Kiki Golden(Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) and Meagan Cobb(Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville). Golden finished with three steals and Cobb had two.

All three goalkeepers saw action, with Alex Adamson(Coronado, Calif./Coronado) picking up the win, recording two assists and two steals. Tara Brigham(Baytown, Texas/Sterling) played the third quarter and finished with one save. Morgan Turner(Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills) closed out the game, tallying three saves, two assists and one steal.

After both teams scored two points in the third, Michigan stayed out in front with an 8-3 lead. In the fourth frame, Michigan outscored Gannon, 5-1, behind another score from Colton, Cobb and Dudley. Ellis O'Connor(Evanston, Ill./Evanston) and Natalie Naruns(Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis) each added a goal to help U-M seal the win.

Next, Michigan will meet Hartwick in exhibition play on Friday, March 9, at Moyer Pool in Oneonta, N.Y.